Electrical cutting utensil

Abstract

An electric cutting utensil adapted to receive a variety of shaped attachments for cutting any of a variety of foods into fanciful shapes is disclosed. The cutting utensil includes a housing having an ergonomically designed external shape adapted to comfortably fit in a user's hand. The housing contains an electric motor having an output shaft connected to an attachment-receiving tip by an oscillation-generating coupling. The attachment-receiving tip includes a chuck lock assembly for receiving a plurality of variously sized and shaped interchangeable cutting heads. Each cutting head includes a projecting knife-like edge formed into a fanciful shape, such as a heart or a star, or any other suitable shape. The electric motor may be powered by one or more batteries contained within the housing, or by direct connection to an electrical outlet using a power cord. A base is provided for storage of the device and attachments. In the case of the battery powered embodiment the base is further adapted for re-charging.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. An electric cutting utensil adapted for cutting foods into fanciful shapes, said cutting utensil comprising: 
       a housing;  
       an electric motor contained within said housing;  
       means for selectively providing electrical power to said electric motor;  
       a shaft having a first end connected to said electric motor via a coupling;  
       said coupling including means for causing said shaft first end to oscillate radially upon activation of said motor;  
       said shaft having a second end projecting from said housing, said second end adapted for attachment of a cutting head;  
       said cutting head including a mounting stem, and a generally sharp projecting cookie-cutter type edge connected to said mounting stem, said mounting stem sized for attachment to said shaft second end;  
       whereby activation of said motor causes oscillation of said shaft and said attached cutting head.  
     
     
       2. An electric cutting utensil according to  claim 1 , wherein said generally sharp projecting cookie cutter type edge defines a two dimensional shape. 
     
     
       3. An electric cutting utensil according to  claim 2 , wherein said two dimensional shape is a fanciful shape. 
     
     
       4. An electric cutting utensil adapted for cutting foods into fanciful shapes, said cutting utensil comprising: 
       a hand-held housing;  
       an electric motor contained within said housing;  
       means for selectively providing electrical power to said electric motor;  
       an elongate shaft partially disposed within said housing, said shaft having a first end connected to said electric motor via a mechanical coupling and a second end;  
       said mechanical coupling including means for causing said shaft first end to move along a generally circular path upon activation of said motor;  
       said shaft second end projecting from said housing, said second end adapted with means for attaching a cutting head thereto;  
       at least one cutting head including a mounting stem sized for attachment to said shaft second end by connection to said means for attaching, and a generally sharp projecting cookie cutter shaped edge for cutting foods into uniform fanciful shapes;  
       whereby activation of said motor causes oscillation of said shaft and said attached cutting head.  
     
     
       5. An electric cutting utensil according to  claim 4 , wherein said means for attaching is a chuck lock. 
     
     
       6. An electric cutting utensil according to  claim 4 , further including a base adapted to receive said hand-held apparatus. 
     
     
       7. An electric cutting utensil according to  claim 4 , wherein said means for selectively providing electrical power to said electric motor includes a battery contained within said housing. 
     
     
       8. An electric cutting utensil according to  claim 4 , wherein said means for selectively providing electrical power to said electric motor includes a power cord. 
     
     
       9. An electric utensil according to  claim 4 , wherein means for causing said shaft to oscillate upon activation of said motor includes an eccentrically disposed projecting arm connected to said shaft and said coupling. 
     
     
       10. An electric utensil according to  claim 4 , wherein said cutting head mounting stem comprises an elongate stem having a first and second generally parallel sections connected by an angularly disposed section.